The area marked in pink on the Parthenon's groundplan is was the location of the huge cult image of Athena, made by the famous sculptor Phidias. We know what ite looked like from contemporary descriptions, and from Roman copies. The statue was approximately 40 feet high, made of wood overlaid with gold, and ivory forming her face and arms. She carried a statue of victory in one hand, and a spear in the other. Between her shield and left leg is Athena's holy snake. There's a theory that the snake indicates that at least in part Athena is descended from some sort of earth worship.
